In the early winter of 2023, Charleston Battery head soccer coach Ben Pirmann noted a new name on the roster: Nick Markanich. Remembering that he had arrived out of nowhere one day for tryouts, Pirmann now hoped he would be as good in real games as he had shown in trials.
Markanich won’t be with the Battery for the upcoming season, but not because of underperformance. After two years with the Battery, Markanich not only rose to become the team’s best player, but was so talented that he recently left for Europe to play on Spain’s CD Castellón club.
The 25-year-old tallied 43 goals and 10 assists in 74 matches across all competitions from 2023 to 2024, helping Charleston win the 2023 Eastern Conference title.
Markanich was named the United Soccer League Championship Player of the Year in 2024, named All-League First Team and won the Golden Boot award after setting a new league record with 28 goals scored in the regular season. He was also the top goal scorer in America across all domestic leagues and became the first Battery player in 15 seasons to win MVP/Player of the Year honors.
“In 2024, Nick had the best individual season in USL history,” said Pirmann, now in his third year with the team. “He is an incredible finisher and arrives to goal with intention. Out of possession, he was equally reliable to help the team.”
With Markanich, the Battery came within one game of playing for the USL Championship in both 2023 and 2024. Doing so again will be an uphill climb, as Pirmann pointed out that players like Markanich are hard enough to find, let alone replace.
“Replacing Nick and his return of production is impossible with one singular addition,” Pirmann said. “We are a great team and club, and we will only succeed with selfless people and players that are daring on the field.”
In his two years with the team, Markanich was also a 15-time Team of the Week selection, six-time Player of the Week winner and two-time Player of the Month honoree. Additionally, he was voted by his peers in the USL Player’s Association as the 2024 USLPA Player of the Year and in the Best Eleven.
Going to Spain is the spoils honor, as Markanich will receive a six-figure fee for his transfer.
“An incredible opportunity was offered to him and his family, and we were very encouraging and supportive of them,” Pirmann said.
With the move, Markanich adds to the growing list of recent Charleston players to take their talents to the next level, including Fidel Barajas (Real Salt Lake then Chivas), Trey Muse (Portland Timbers), Dante Polvara (Aberdeen FC) and Derek Dodson (Minnesota United FC then D.C. United).
Will he miss playing for the Battery? Markanich said part of him will, but mostly he will always be grateful for the chance the team gave him to show his skills and put him in a world-beating position.
“Every professional player’s dream is to play at the highest level possible, and Charleston has done everything to help me reach that goal,” Markanich said. “Playing in Spain will be a great opportunity and experience.”
By L. C. Leach III
Leave a Reply